Synapturanus ajuricaba

Schiesari, Luis, Rossa-Feres, Denise De Cerqueira, Menin, Marcelo & Hödl, Walter, 2022, Tadpoles of Central Amazonia (Amphibia: Anura), Zootaxa 5223 (1), pp. 1-149 : 100-101

Synapturanus ajuricaba

External morphology. Description based on seven tadpoles at Stage 41 (INPA-H 15834). Total length 12.6 ± 0.6 mm (N = 7). Body ovoid in dorsal view and globular in lateral view ( Fig. 66A and B ). Snout truncate in dorsal view and rounded in lateral view. Eyes positioned and directed laterally. Opening of nostrils unperforated, but external nostrils visible as rounded whitish spot positioned dorsolaterally. Oral opening terminal, as a simple slit. Jaw sheaths, papillae, and tooth rows absent. Spiracle absent. Vent tube medial, fused to the ventral fin, with a medial opening. Caudal musculature of moderate width; in lateral view gradually tapering to a pointed tip. Dorsal fin very shallow, originating on the end of the anterior third of the tail, slightly convex; ventral fin very shallow, parallel to the caudal musculature axis. Tail tip rounded.

Colour. In preservative dorsum greyish tan and venter cream or yellowish cream; chromatophores distributed on the head, dorsal region of the body and on dorsal surfaces of the limbs and anterior region of the tail ( Menin et al. 2007). In life head and dorsum reddish-brown, lightening laterally, with a mottled brown pattern on the flanks and limbs; venter white to cream; tail fins transparent; caudal musculature light brown ( Menin et al. 2007).

Variation. Fins retained or vestigial in Stage 42.

Metamorphs. With brown coloration with numerous light cream to orange spots dorsally over the dorsum, arms and legs ( Menin et al. 2007).

Natural history. Clutches contain on average 8 creamy eggs ( Menin et al. 2007). Eggs are deposited in burrows about 5-10 cm below the soil surface in terra-firme forests; development is endotrophic and tadpoles hatch at Stage 42 ( Menin et al. 2007).

Comments. Tadpoles of S. ajuricaba from Central Amazonia were described as Synapturanus cf. salseri by Menin et al. (2007). The only difference in relation to tadpoles herein characterized is the body considered depressed in lateral view by Menin et al. (2007).

Figures

FIGURE 66. Tadpole of Synapturanus ajuricaba (INPA-H 15834) at Stage 41: (A) lateral view and (B) dorsal view (scale = 10 mm).